Post by Michael Gray on Apr 21, 2005 15:14:23 GMT
United gained their first 3 points of the season after a hard fought victory over the Ashes at Ormlie last night. A number of call-offs left United with a threadbare side for this match with once again trialists required to make up the compliment. Martin Cook and 17-year-old Gary Mackay both made their competitive debuts and turned in solid displays. The opening exchanges saw the visitors produce a bright start and nearly opened the scoring in the opening minute Willie Inrig released Mark Nichol down the right and stood up a beautiful cross to the back post but it was just a little to high for the inrushing Bremner who could only flick the ball over the bar. However the opener was only delayed by 5 minutes when Martin Cook marked his debut with a goal powering home a Russel Beattie corner at the far post. The goal removed a little bit of pre-match tension that had been in the United camp and Mark Nichol brought out a fine diving save from Brown in the home net as last years county top scorer looked to open his account for this term. It certainly wasn’t one way traffic though as the home side on the back of a couple of heavy defeats looked for a way back into the match and a Malone shot crashed off the face off the bar as Gray stood motionless presuming the shot was going over. Russel Beattie’s set pieces were causing the Ashes defence enormous problems and they so nearly conceded again as after 25 mins Cook again met the centre this time however the ball was cleared off the line to safety. Five minutes later and the same routine found B Gray powering in at the far post but once again with the Brown beaten the ball was cleared away. With just over ten minutes left in the half Stockan brought out a decent save from Gray down to his left after being teed up by Malone as again the visitors threatened again. Gray collected the corner comfortably and fed Bremner who immediately set Nichol in motion the striker raced clear before bringing out a fine save from Brown at his near post at the expense of a corner. Scrappiness again infiltrated the United ranks just before half time and it took a good blocking tackle from Sutherland to prevent Malone bursting through on goal the midfielder recovered the ball ahead of his marker but only succeeded in finding the side net. The last action of note in the half was a Nichol freekick from the edge of the area, which brought out a decent enough save from Brown.
Half time
Ashes 0-1 Pentland United
The second half again followed a similar pattern to the first period United pressing for the majority of the time with Ashes hitting on the counter. Nichol was again the focal point for the United attacks Bremner picking him out with a beautifully flighted cross, which the striker met powerfully but Brown was in the right place and held on. The home defence were still holding firm and the longer the score stayed at 1-0 the more the belief grew that they could sneak something especially as United had contrived to miss numerous chances after 55 mins Derek Manson became the latest culprit. Inrig was released into the box by Cook his cut back was pushed away at the near post by Brown leaving the wide midfielder with a clear opening but he failed to make contact as the goal lay gaping. Gavin Bremner seemed to be revelling in his role further forward than usual and he was creating chances for his teammates with his pinpoint crossing. Martin Cook was the latest recipient after 65 mins but in almost identical fashion to Nichol earlier he only succeeded in heading straight down the throat of the keeper. United survived loud appeals for a penalty with 20 mins to go when Cook clashed with Green but the dramatic fall from the Ashes man did nothing for referee Green and he waved away the claims. Minutes later quick feet from Nichol saw him wheel away from Lannon but again his shot was just too straight to trouble Brown. With 15 mins to go United made the crucial breakthrough. It started when persistent play from Beattie saw him dispossess Rutherford just inside the Ashes half, the frontman then raced away from the fullback and into the box only for his run to be crudely halted Macleod leaving referee Green no option but to point to the spot. B Gray stepped up confidently and blasted the ball passed the Brown leaving the keeper with no chance. The goal clearly deflated the home side and gave the visitors the breathing space they had been searching for. With less than 5 minutes to go United sealed the game with a fine goal. It started when B Gray picked the ball up on half way and flighted in a beautiful ball looking for the run of Bremner who deftly headed the ball passed the despairing Brown and complete the scoring.
Full time
Ashes 0-3 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker 4. G Mackay 5. D Manson 6. G Bremner 7. R Sutherland (c) 8. W Inrig 9. M Nichol 10. R Beattie (D Mackay 80) 11. M Cook
Subs not used
E Boyd
View from the goal
Well the first three points of the season are in the bag and although there were some nervy parts I think we deserved it in the end. There is no doubt we are not firing on all cylinders but I am confident it will come good. The effort was there and although we were a tad short there were no passengers always trying to play football on a difficult surface. The Ashes on the back of a couple of heavy defeats made life really difficult for us lying deep and we found that difficult to breakdown. Next week presents two huge fixtures for us and we will be welcoming back a few members of the squad and I hope this will mark an upturn in our fortunes.
Half time
Ashes 0-1 Pentland United
The second half again followed a similar pattern to the first period United pressing for the majority of the time with Ashes hitting on the counter. Nichol was again the focal point for the United attacks Bremner picking him out with a beautifully flighted cross, which the striker met powerfully but Brown was in the right place and held on. The home defence were still holding firm and the longer the score stayed at 1-0 the more the belief grew that they could sneak something especially as United had contrived to miss numerous chances after 55 mins Derek Manson became the latest culprit. Inrig was released into the box by Cook his cut back was pushed away at the near post by Brown leaving the wide midfielder with a clear opening but he failed to make contact as the goal lay gaping. Gavin Bremner seemed to be revelling in his role further forward than usual and he was creating chances for his teammates with his pinpoint crossing. Martin Cook was the latest recipient after 65 mins but in almost identical fashion to Nichol earlier he only succeeded in heading straight down the throat of the keeper. United survived loud appeals for a penalty with 20 mins to go when Cook clashed with Green but the dramatic fall from the Ashes man did nothing for referee Green and he waved away the claims. Minutes later quick feet from Nichol saw him wheel away from Lannon but again his shot was just too straight to trouble Brown. With 15 mins to go United made the crucial breakthrough. It started when persistent play from Beattie saw him dispossess Rutherford just inside the Ashes half, the frontman then raced away from the fullback and into the box only for his run to be crudely halted Macleod leaving referee Green no option but to point to the spot. B Gray stepped up confidently and blasted the ball passed the Brown leaving the keeper with no chance. The goal clearly deflated the home side and gave the visitors the breathing space they had been searching for. With less than 5 minutes to go United sealed the game with a fine goal. It started when B Gray picked the ball up on half way and flighted in a beautiful ball looking for the run of Bremner who deftly headed the ball passed the despairing Brown and complete the scoring.
Full time
Ashes 0-3 Pentland United
1. M Gray 2. B Gray 3. M Baker 4. G Mackay 5. D Manson 6. G Bremner 7. R Sutherland (c) 8. W Inrig 9. M Nichol 10. R Beattie (D Mackay 80) 11. M Cook
Subs not used
E Boyd
View from the goal
Well the first three points of the season are in the bag and although there were some nervy parts I think we deserved it in the end. There is no doubt we are not firing on all cylinders but I am confident it will come good. The effort was there and although we were a tad short there were no passengers always trying to play football on a difficult surface. The Ashes on the back of a couple of heavy defeats made life really difficult for us lying deep and we found that difficult to breakdown. Next week presents two huge fixtures for us and we will be welcoming back a few members of the squad and I hope this will mark an upturn in our fortunes.